Report: LA’s Puig suffering inflammation on right shoulder

Inflammation in Yasiel Puig’s right shoulder has put the Dodgers outfielder on a limited throwing program, according to a report from MLB.com.

Puig reportedly took BP and played catch on Thursday at the Dodgers’ spring training facility in Glendale, Ariz. Manager Don Mattingly said the team doesn’t think it’s serious and that it’s the same issue that occasionally bothered Puig last season. Mattingly believes Puig overthrew during his first day of camp this week.

The Dodgers’ first full-squad workout is Friday, but voluntary workouts have been taking place all week.

Puig and the Dodgers open the 2014 regular season with two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney, Australia on March 22 and 23. On March 30, the Dodgers visit San Diego for the North American opener.

Puig became an instant star in his first year with the Dodgers. The Cuban outfielder debuted on June 3, 2013, and sparked LA to a run that catapulted the club from last place to an NL West title.

Puig played 104 games last season, hitting .319 with 19 homers and 42 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He would finish second to Miami pitcher Jose Fernandez in the NL Rookie of the Year race.

In the Dodgers’ 3-1 NLDS win over the Atlanta Braves, Puig hit .471 (8 for 17) with two RBI. However, along with his teammates, Puig struggled in a 4-2 NLCS loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Puig hit .227 (5 for 23) with two RBI in that series.

But at just 23 — his birthday was Dec. 7 — the sky is the limit for the young slugger and the Dodgers are counting on him to help them repeat as division champs and go deeper in the playoffs.